Nigerian Army puts retirements of generals, other officers on hold

The Nigerian Army has frozen both statutory and voluntary retirements for specific categories of officers, including Generals, following the nationwide security emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.

The move comes amid a surge in mass abductions, with more than 600 kidnapping cases documented in November. Among the major incidents were the abduction of over 300 students in Niger State, 38 worshippers in Kwara State, and 25 students in Kebbi State.

President Tinubu had, on November 26, announced a national security emergency, instructing the armed forces, police, and intelligence agencies to intensify recruitment and deploy thousands of additional personnel to counter worsening insecurity.

To support the expanded operations, an internal circular dated December 3 and endorsed by Maj. Gen. E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff said retirements would be temporarily paused to preserve manpower and expertise.

The memo, citing provisions in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service Officers (HTACOS) 2024, explained that although officers typically exit the service upon reaching age limits, completing 35 years in uniform, or failing promotions or conversion boards repeatedly, the rules permit extensions “in the interest of the service.”

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It stated, “Military service of a commissioned officer entails a period of unbroken service in the AFN from the date of enlistment or commissioning to the date of retirement. The period of service is determined by conditions enshrined in the HTACOS Officers 2024. These include attainment of age ceilings on various ranks, 35 years maximum length of service, and other criteria provided in Paragraphs 11.02(d) and 17.15, among extant regulations.

“Notwithstanding these provisions, Chapter 3.10(e) of HTACOS Officers 2024 allows for extension of service to officers in the interest of the service.

“The President and Commander-in-Chief declared a nationwide security emergency on November 26, mandating the expansion of the AFN and other security agencies. In line with this, and to rapidly expand manpower, it has become expedient to temporarily suspend all statutory and voluntary retirements from the Nigerian Army with immediate effect.”

The suspension affects officers who have failed promotion examinations three times, those passed over multiple times at promotion boards, those who have reached rank age limits, officers who have failed conversion boards thrice, and personnel who have completed 35 years in service.

According to the memo, officers may apply to continue serving beyond their scheduled retirement dates, though those who do not wish to remain are free to proceed with standard exit procedures. It added that officers granted extensions would not be eligible for further promotions, courses, secondments, or extra-regimental appointments.

Commanders were instructed to relay the directive and manage morale across units, with a note that the policy would be revisited when national security conditions improve.

(PUNCH)